Now What Could Be Better?

My sister, brother-in-law, and nephews have moved to Paris. Their intentions were to be closer to family to "help", and they have found that God had a much bigger plan in their move. They have been humbled, forced to rely on others, and taken to their knees.

It has been my joy to be able to be a supportive family member in any way I can. However, my favorite way to help is by spending time with my family. A & Dub have been blessed with a place to call home. Now to say this is a huge blessing simply isn't enough. They need their own space. However, it needed a TON of work.

I have gone to P-town a couple of weekends to paint or whatever they need. The first weekend I went, T. helped me paint his bedroom. He put Spiderman, a horse, and a bad guy on the wall. Below you will see my precious nephew display his fine artwork! Now I ask you, what could be better?

Avacado Tea

Last year, I was blessed with a Teacher Aide that is simply one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She and I had a wonderful year together, and we have formed an amazing friendship. Last week, she came by to help set up the bat cave (another blog), and she heard my awful cough. She told me I should try her Avocado Tea. She informed me that the tea created from the seed of an avocado is a natural antibiotic. I had a horrible run in with an antibiotic last year, and I was desperate...so I had her write down the directions.

I still have a bit of a cough, but I am no longer living on cough drops. I am also able to sleep without sounding like a lung is about to appear on my pillow (nice, huh?)

Avocado Tea

• Take the seed of an avocado and cut it into fourths or eighths depending on the size of the seed.
• Then, peel the brown layer off of the seed. This leaves the beige colored part of the seed.
• Put the pieces of the seed in a large pot (make sure you have a lid) with a quart to two quarts of water.
• Cover the pot, and boil for 20 to 30 minutes.
• When, the boiling process is over, let the pot sit (still covered) for another 20 to 30 minutes.
• The water turns anywhere from a light pink to a deep Burgundy.
• Strain out the pieces of the avocado.
• Put into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
• You will need to drink between a tablespoon and a small tea cup of the tea every hour.
• You can add honey to make it sweet if you prefer.
• Also, you can drink it warm or cold....whatever you prefer.
  
  My dear friend uses this tea for all sorts of colds, sinus pains, etc. It tastes like a very faint tea.
  
  Enjoy!

A Big Deal

J. and I just had one of the best talks of our marriage after watching the season finale of....



hold on to your hats...



Bret Michael's Rock of Love! Yes, Bret gave J. and I subject to apply to our marriage. Now, let me just say...I had to come blog about my revelation while my husband went straight to snoring. However, I have truly had a revelation.

Seriously!

And no, my revelation wasn't that I want to bring big, rocker hair back...because believe me...I could NEVER do the bangs the way my sister could do the bangs...you rocked the bangs, sister!!!

... it was a finalization that I want to make a big deal of my husband. Let me explain. We were getting ready for bed, and I mentioned that I liked how Bret (AKA VH1) made a big deal out of the dates with the girls. I was trying to let J. know that every little girl grows up with the dream of being the big deal. When it hit me that is why I LOVE birthdays, holidays, fancy events, friend gatherings, being with my family...etc...it is a chance to feel like a big deal. It also hit me that I made a big deal out of J. when we were dating, but since we have gotten married, I have been waiting for him to make a big deal out of me.

HOW SELFISH AM I?

Here I am supposed to be this man's best friend, and all I am worried about is me! Seriously, I wouldn't treat any of my family or friends like that. Why did I do that to him? I would bend over backwards without wanting anything in return for my sister, brother, friends, etc....

but this man....

the one who stood with me and vowed to walk through this life with me . . .

this precious soul has not had that side of me. He hasn't had the chance to be made a big deal. His sweet grandmother who passed away when he was a young boy, truly was the last person on this earth to make him feel special.


Needless to say, I am on a mission. My life mission has been expanded for one more person. My dear husband's birthday is two days before mine. I have joked with him that he needed to pick another month to celebrate his birthday. Yes, I am hanging my head in shame. However, this year, I want to make his day precious to him. I searching for the best German Chocolate Cake recipe. How I wish I could talk to his grandmother and get it from her!

Please pray for me. Pray that this revelation doesn't have selfish motives at all. Pray that I will seriously accept the commissioning of making my husband feel like a big deal.

Adoption Update

We have lost the birthmom. She won't even return our friend's phone calls. If you would like to know more about why that is, just ask. I seriously don't mind talking about it. J. and I are thrilled that God used us to sit down and talk to this precious woman. We are blessed that we got a chance to tell her how much God loves her, and that there is no disgrace in carrying a life. She had been told many times how awful the pregancy was by the people she surrounded herself with.

So, we are looking for a new birthmom. We are going to go through an agency. We have a few more phone calls to make on Monday and Tuesday to finalize who we are going to use. This means that we will have a much bigger expense with this adoption, but we have a HUGE hurdle behind us. We got our homestudy and background check done. We are going to try to apply for some grants. We don't think we will be granted any loans, but God is bigger than our credit issues. So, we will see.

Anyway, keep us and our future child in your prayers. We are so excited to be matched and bring him or her home.

The True Meaning of Fall

Fall officially began at our house this weekend. A cinnamon sent is filling the air as we speak (yes we coordinate our house hold sents with the seasons). One of my little quirks I suppose!

The other reason Fall has begun at our house is because Aggie football begins today. Now, if you are not an Aggie, you might think I am crazy. BUT I have to say that I just watched this for the first time with tears streaming down my face!